Bulldogs begin NEC play 1-1, split doubleheader with Sacred Heart, 1-0, 1-0, Saturday afternoon

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University softball team split games with Sacred Heart, defeating the Pioneers 1-0 in game one, before falling by the same margin in game two, helping the Bulldogs to a 1-1 start in Northeast Conference play.

Game One

After being held to a single hit in the first three innings, the Bulldogs (2-24, 1-1 NEC) translated two hits into a run to lead the Pioneers (9-18, 1-1), 1-0, in the top of the fourth. With one out, senior Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, Colo.) doubled to left center. Madsen advanced to third off of junior Taylor Burger's (Killingworth, Conn.) fly out to center field, before being brought in off sophomore Maritza Martinez's (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) RBI single through the left side, allowing Bryant the 1-0 advantage.

The Bulldogs defense allowed the Pioneers only a single hit through the final four innings, leading to the Bulldogs' one-run victory to begin NEC play at 1-0.

Senior Liana Ogata (Tustin, Calif.) went to 2-for-4 in the contest, while the Bulldogs managed one run off five hits. Sacred Heart's McKenna Wiegand went 2-for-2 at-bat, as her team finished with three hits.

Madsen recorded her first win on the mound for the Bulldogs, pitching three strikeouts in seven innings. Jamie Carlson pitched all seven innings for the Pioneers, allowing one run off five hits, while striking out eight batters.

Game Two

The Bulldogs found themselves in a one-run hole after the first inning of play and were unable to mount a comeback, despite their five hits through 6.5 innings of play.

With two outs, Lauren Delgadillo scored on a passed ball to give the Pioneers the 1-0 advantage in the bottom of the first.

The Bulldogs made a strong push in the top of the six, loading the bases after Ogata singled up the middle, Madsen was intentionally walked and Burger was hit by a pitch. The Pioneers were helped out of the inning as Martinez flied out to left field, leaving three Bulldogs on base. The sixth saw three of the Bulldogs' seven players left on base in the contest.

Freshman Colby Norris (Toano, Va.) allowed one run off four hits, while striking out four batters in her six innings on the mound. Emily Orosco pitched all seven innings for the Pioneers, holding Bryant scoreless off five hits, while striking out eight batters to record the win.